What's the Deal [Paperback]

Rhoda Blumberg (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Discusses the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the political maneuverings of Napoleon and Jefferson that made it possible.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Despite the catchy title that suggests a narrative with a light touch, this is a straightforward, well-researched, and smoothly written book of political history. Blumberg tells the story of the clash of the competing interests of France, England, and Spain for control over New Orleans and the vast "wasteland" beyond the Mississippi River. She charts the tangled web of diplomacy, treaties made and broken, and the unexpected consequences of events seemingly unrelated to the new government in America. The Queen of Spain desired land in Italy, Toussaint L'Ouverture destroyed a French army in St. Domingue, and Napoleon overrode all advice and chose to sell the Louisiana territory if President Jefferson could meet his price. The author makes an exciting and suspenseful tale out of the negotiations and the people involved in a political bargain that would determine the future of the United States. Students of political science and American history will welcome this title with its maps, timeline, and bibliography. Casual readers and history buffs, attracted by the numerous black-and-white reproductions and clever political cartoons of the period, will enjoy the fast-paced, behind-the-scenes account of one of the most important "deals" in our country's past.
Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

In Blumberg's talented hands, an event often depicted as just one more musty land deal from the olden days becomes a vibrant tale of greed, double-dealing, and political finesse. Befitting the dramatic telling, the book opens with a "Cast of Characters," identifying the movers and shakers in the Louisiana territory's 120-year history. With balance, clarity, and spirit, Blumberg presents the complex history of fluid political alliances and the ever-present threat of war, explaining political motivations as well as political acts to give readers a sense of why the territory was important and how it was eventually acquired. She also makes it clear that the deal wasn't a foregone conclusion: Napoleon could have refused to negotiate; Britain could have joined the U.S. in a war to claim the territory. In fact, Blumberg ends her last chapter by proposing a few alternate histories, answering the "what if" questions that textbooks never ask. Divided into short sections within short chapters, the text is accessible enough to appeal to struggling readers. Its readability is further enhanced by a large format and generously spaced layout, which allows for full-page, black-and-white reproductions of oil paintings, engravings, and sketches. This is a welcome blend of scholarship, historical drama, and handsome design. Source notes, bibliography, time line. Randy Meyer

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792270134
• ISBN-13: 978-0792270133
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,492,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book that makes history come alive., October 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: What's the Deal (Paperback)

SEE *Starred Review of "School and Library Journal --- a rave review. eg. quotes: The author makes an exciting and suspenseful tale out of the negotiations" ..."Students of polotical science and American history will welcome this title." Book written by Newbery Honor winner, and recpient of many prestigious awards.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The writing flows nicely. We learn about kings, spies, wars, and slave uprisings., November 28, 2007

By 

Tom Brody (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What's the Deal (Paperback)

What's The Deal is 144 pages with about 60 illustrations taking up a half page or full page. These are paintings, ink drawings, and newspaper cartoons. The book begins with a six page list of a "case of characters," with a 2-sentence thumbnail description of each, for example, Rene-Robert La Salle (French explorer who claimed the Louisiana Territory in 1682), James Madison and Robert Livingston (negotiated the Louisiana Purchase Treaty), King Louis XV (gave Louisiana Territory to Spain, that is, to his cousin King Charles III of Spain), and Napoleon (took back the Louisiana Territory and sold it to the U.S.).

Although What's The Deal was written for the "school market," the writing style is never condescending, and there is plenty for any adult to learn.

SPAIN RULES OVER LOUISIANA TERRITORY. At the outset, we learn that the French kings, King Louis XIV and XV, as well as King Charles III failed to see any real value of the Louisiana Territory. We learn of the first three Spanish governors of the Louisiana Territory, Don de Ulloa, "Bloody" O'Reilly, and Don de Unzaga.

BAD BEHAVIOR OF FRENCH. We learn of Edmond Genet of France, sent as a minister to the U.S. He arrived in the U.S. in 1793, and commissioned some privately owned ships, and tried to capture Spanish ships and English ships. Genet's goal was to enlist U.S. citizens to liberate Louisiana from the Spain, for the benefit of France. Eventually, everybody (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and French government) got disgusted with Genet, and the French gave up on its plot and recalled Genet.

MORE BAD BEHAVIOR OF FRENCH. But the French kept up their bad behavior, and seized American ships and raided American commerce. The French asked the U.S. for bribes, in order to bring the French raids to a halt (this was called the XYZ affair). This was in 1798. In November 9, 1799, Napoleon conducted his coup d'etat.

FRANCE GETS BACK THE LOUISIANA TERRITORY. In 1800, Spain transferred the Louisiana Territory to France. The exchange was supposed to be as follows. The agreement was for Napoleon to give the Kingdom of Etruria (part of northern Italy) to Spain, and Spain was to hand over the Louisiana Territory. But as it turned out, Napoleon kept hold of Etruria.

FRANCE HAS BAD LUCK WITH NEW WORLD TERRITORIES. At this time, Toussaint L'Overture, a former slave, led an uprising against the French in St.Domingue (Haiti) and drove out the French by way of a slave rebellion. At this time, St.Domingue was, for France, and extremely valuable source of sugar, cotton, and indigo. Napoleon's wife, Josephine, had been born on the nearby island of Martinique, and her family owned a plantation on St.Domingue. To view the big picture, what we see is a former slave defeating Napoleon, a man famed for taking command of Austria, Poland, and Italy.

FRANCE SELLS LOUISIANA TERRITORY TO U.S. In spring of 1803, Napoleon needed money to wage war against Egypt and the English. So he decided to sell the Louisiana Territory to the U.S. The price was 15 million dollars, and to get the money, Jefferson borrowed 15 million dollars from an English bank. The goal of the English was to ensure that the French would never own territory south of Canada, while the French goal was to get money to fight the English. The treaty of the Louisiana Purchase was signed in May 1803, and two months later, Jefferson sent Louis and Clark to explore the new territory.